A Second War 1944 ‘Operation Jupiter’ M.M. awarded to Gunner H. J. Vincent, Royal Artillery

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1128462 Gnr. H. J. Vincent. R.A.) extremely fine £800-1200

M.M. London Gazette 19 October 1944.

The Recommendation, dated 20 July 1944, states: On 10 July at Eterville, 181 Field Regiment was in support of 9 Cameronians. Gunner Vincent was acting as Observation Post Artillery Signaller to the Forward Observation Officer who was with the Forward Company at a time when the position was being mortared by the enemy so heavily that the line and wireless remote control became cut in several places. At a critical moment in the battle when it was obvious that the enemy were about to counter attack, Gunner Vincent was wounded in the legs and his No. 38 set, the only remaining means of communications with the guns, was knocked out. Although the route back was being heavily mortared and he was in considerable pain, Gunner Vincent immediately brought back full details of the situation with a request for defensive fire and also the damaged wireless set. Not until he had delivered the message and given a very clear explanation of the tactical situation of the Forward Company to his Battery Commander and arranged for a new 38 set to be taken to the Forward Observation Officer did he report that he had been wounded The Battery Commander immediately ordered him to the Regimental Aid Post for attention but Gunner Vincent first guided the relief signaller and wireless set to the Forward Observation Officer. Gunner Vincent could not be evacuated at once owing to the tactical situation and he remained in the slit trench near the Regimental Aid Post. While there further heavy mortaring wounded a driver who was attempting to replace a track on the armoured Observation Post. in spite of his wounds and the almost continuous mortaring Gunner Vincent went over to assist this driver and although it was no part of his duty did not leave until the armoured Observation Post had been mended.
By Gunner Vincent’s unselfish devotion to duty and gallant conduct communications between Forward Observation Officer and guns were maintained thus enabling calls for Defensive fire to be answered and materially helping in the breaking up of counter attacks. He set the very highest example to others at the Observation Post of cool courage at a critical stage in the battle and continued to do what he considered his duty at a time when he would normally have been evacuated as a casualty.’

Sold together with named Buckingham Palace enclosure for the M.M.